Carrier with tape connector interlock for videocassette

ABSTRACT

A removable tape cartridge (14) for insertion into a carrier (12) in order to form a two-piece videocassette (10) comprises a housing (30) with a tape reel assembly (32) therein. The tape reel assembly (32) includes a length of tape (64) with a connector (68) at one end which, upon insertion of the cartridge (14), mates with an associated connector (16) in the carrier (12) to establish connection with a take-up reel (20). The tape reel assembly (32) is normally biased downwardly by a spring (56) and is normally constrained against rotation by an internal brake assembly (70-74) responsive to insertion of the cartridge (14) into the carrier (12). The tape connector (68) is releasably secured in proper position for mating engagement with the corresponding connector (16)by one end of an arm (78), the other end of which functions to interlock the tape cartridge (14) and carrier (12) against separation upon withdrawal of the tape.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to magnetic tape cartridges.More particularly, this invention concerns a compact tape cartridge foruse with a carrier which may be used to form a two-piece videocassettefor use with existing videocassette recorders.

BACKGROUND ART

Videocassette players and recorders (VCRs) have been quite popular andtheir popularity is expected to continue increasing. One of the reasonsfor this popularity is the wide variety of programming which isavailable, either by direct recording for playback and personal uselater, or by purchase or rental of prerecorded videocassette. Suchvideocassettes are generally available in standardized formats, with theVHS format currently being the most popular. The videocassette itselfgenerally consists of a closed housing having a length of tape connectedat its ends to a pair of reels therein between which the tape is woundor unwound during play or rewind as the case may be. The tape isgenerally guided between the reels along a tape path extending along thefront edge of the cassette for interaction with a tape head within theVCR, and a pivotal door is usually provided o that edge for protectingthe exposed tape before the videocassette has been inserted into theVCR.

Conventional videocassettes are not particularly bulky. However, theavailable storage space is usually limited and so their storage canbecome a problem as one's collection of videocassettes increases. Thisproblem is expected to worsen with increasing popularity of VCRs and theconsequential increasing size of videocassette libraries used with them.As this occurs, we expect that the available space for storage of thevideocassettes will at some point have the practical effect of limitingthe number of videocassettes which can be kept and used.

Videocassette adapters are available for adapting relatively smallcassettes for use with standard formats. Such adapters generally consistof a housing into which the small cassette can be inserted, for example,through a releasable top door. After insertion, a mechanism in theadapter is manually activated to pull the tape out from the supply andtake-up reels in the cassette to which it is connected, and guide thetape along the proper path for playback or recording upon insertion ofthe adapter into the VCR. Such adapters are typically used with smallcassettes used in camcorders, but have limited tape capacity and playingtime. For example, the small cassettes used with such adapters typicallyhave a maximum playing time of only about twenty minutes versus up toabout 2-6 hours (depending upon speed) available with a standard sizevideocassette. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,677,494 to Protas, 4,432,510 to Ogata,4,504,876 to Nagaoka, and 4,567,536 to Tsuchiya are representative ofthe prior art in this regard. Such adapters do not address the problemof achieving more efficient tape storage without sacrificing capacityand playing time.

The need has thus arisen for a compact tape cartridge which provides thesame or better capacity when inserted into a carrier in order to form astandard a videocassette, but which makes for better use of availablestorage when removed from the carrier.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention comprises an insertable tape cartridge whichovercomes the foregoing and other difficulties associated with the priorart. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a tapecartridge for use with a carrier having a take-up reel therein in orderto form a two-piece videocassette which can then be used in the usualfashion, except that multiple such tape cartridges can be stored in thesame available space while requiring only one such carrier. The tapecartridge herein provides the same tape capacity, but requires only halfthe storage space of a standard videocassette.

The tape cartridge includes a housing containing a supply reel assembly.The supply reel stores the magnetic tape. The end of the tape isanchored to the hub of the supply reel assembly. The other end of thetape is attached to a tape connector. This tape connector is retained inan opening of the cartridge housing. Another cooperating tetherconnector is connected to a tether or leader. The tether itself isconnected to a take-up reel in the carrier. Locating surfaces on thehousing position the tape cartridge during insertion. The insertion ofthe cartridge into the carrier completes the tape-tether interconnectionon the supply reel side of the carrier.

An interlock mechanism is provided for preventing the tape-tetherinterconnection from exiting the take up side of the carrier while thetape access door is open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention can be had by reference to thefollowing Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanyingDrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a two-piece videocassetteincorporating the tape cartridge of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two-piece videocassette with thetape cartridge inserted therein;

FIG. 3 is top view of the two-piece videocassette with the tapecartridge inserted therein;

FIG. 4 is side view of the tape cartridge;

FIG. 5 is front view of the tape cartridge;

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the tape reel assembly;

FIG. 7 is exploded view of the tape cartridge;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tape illustrating the retentionof the connector;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier illustrating theinterlock mechanisms;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the interlock mechanism with the interlock inthe unactivated position;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the interlock mechanism with the interlock inthe actuated position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the Drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatelike or corresponding elements throughout the views, and particularlyreferring to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a two-piece videocassette 10comprising a carrier 12 and a removable tape cartridge 14 incorporatingthe invention. The carrier 12 includes a connector 16 secured to one endof a tether 18 which is attached at its other end to a take-up reel 20to which the tape from cartridge 14 can be connected for winding orunwinding in response to manual actuation of a self-contained wind keywhich includes a thumb tab 22. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the tab 22 in the upposition for winding. The tab 22 is connected to a drive gear 24 whichis engageable through a set of drive gears with the tape cartridge 14,after insertion into carrier 12 and completion of the tape connection,so that rotation of the tab advances the tape connectors toward thetake-up reel 20 and establishes the proper tape path within the carrierfor playback or recording. This tape path is illustrated in FIG. 3 bythe passage of tape 64 over guidepost 123 and guidepost 124.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, the tape cartridge 14 includes a housing 26consisting of a top cover 28 and a bottom cover 30 secured together bysuitable screws. The top cover 28 preferably includes a substantiallyclear or transparent portion 98 so that the tape reel assembly 32 can beseen inside the housing therein. The housing 26 can be formed of anysuitable material, such as plastic.

The tape cartridge 14 includes locating structure to assure properorientation thereof upon insertion into carrier 12. In particular, thehousing 26 is of non-symmetrical configuration for alignment with anopening of similar shape in the top surface of carrier 12. As shown, thetape carrier 14 includes two adjacent straight sides bounded by a curvedside. A ledge or notch 34 is provided along the upper edge of one of thestraight sides of cartridge 14 for receipt underneath a cross member 36on carrier 12 in order to retain the cartridge. A plurality of recesses38 are also provided in the other sides of cartridge 14 opposite andadjacent that containing notch 34 for receiving retaining tabs 40, onlyone of which is shown as best seen in FIG. 1, within the carrier 12. Thebottom housing cover 30 also includes an offset raised member 42 whichis adapted for flush receipt in the offset portion of hole 44 in thebottom of the carrier 12.

It will thus be appreciated that the cartridge 14 is inserted intocarrier 12 by first tilting it in order to place the end with notch 34under the brace or cross member 36 and then pushing it downwardcompletely into the carrier. The cartridge 14 is removed simply byinserting a finger through the offset portion of hole 44 and pushing theend opposite notch 34 upwardly to disengage the remaining tabs 40.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the tape reel assembly 32 include a topflange 46 and a bottom gear flange 48. The bottom gear flange 48includes a central hub 50 which is fixed or preferably integraltherewith for rotation in unison. The inside of hub 50 is preferablysplined, as is best seen in FIG. 6, for engagement with a drive spindle(not shown) through center holes in the bottom gear flange 48 and bottomcover 30 when the tape cartridge 14 is inserted into the carrier 12 andthe carrier has been inserted into the videocassette recorder andlowered into play position. A beveled collar 52 is preferably providedabout the underside of hub 50 for cooperation with a beveled centralportion of hole 45 in the bottom of the carrier 12, as seen in FIG. 1,for proper alignment with the drive spindle. The top flange 46 issecured onto hub 50 by means of a snap button 54. Serrations areprovided on the surfaces of mating flange 46 and hub 50 so that the topflange cannot turn relative to the hub and bottom gear flange 48.

The tape reel assembly 32 is normally urged downwardly within cartridge14 by a curved leaf spring 56, one end of which bears against button 54and the other end of which is secured by a heat stake or other suitableconnector 58 to the top cover 28. The bottom gear flange 48 thusnormally bears against the inside of the bottom cover 30, with collar 52loosely received within a relatively larger central opening 60 thereinso that the hub 50 can be accessed by the drive spindle through hole 45in the bottom of the carrier 12.

It will thus be appreciated that the tape reel assembly 32 is capable ofsame limited "floating" movement within the cartridge 14, but isnormally urged by spring 56 toward the down position against the bottomhousing cover 30. A radial access opening 62 is provided along one sideof the cartridge housing 30, as best seen in FIG. 7, so that the tapereel assembly 32 can be driven via a gear (not shown) which isengageable with the bottom gear flange 48 responsive to windingactuation of tab 22 in order to advance the tape from cartridge 14 tothe take-up reel 20 within carrier 12 after insertion of the cartridgeinto the carrier but before insertion of the two-piece videocassette 10into the recorder.

The tape reel assembly 32 further includes a length of magnetic tape 64wound around hub 50 between the top and bottom flanges 46 and 48. Thelength of magnetic tape 64 preferably includes a substantially clear ortransparent leader 66 spliced in conventional fashion at each endthereof. For purposes of illustration, only the leader 66 at the outerend has been shown, however, it will be understood that another leaderis spliced to the inner end of the tape which in turn is secured at itsfree end to hub 50 by means of a clip (not shown) or other suitablefastener. The leader 66 at the outer end of tape 64 is secured at itsfree end to a tape connector 68, which is adapted for mating engagementwith the corresponding tether connector 16 in carrier 12 upon insertionof the tape cartridge 14. As illustrated, the tape connector 68 andtether connector 16 comprise mating male and female portions whichengage upon insertion of the tape cartridge 14 into the carrier 12.

In accordance with the preferred construction, the leader 66 on theouter end of the magnetic tape 64 transitions to an outer portion ofreduced predetermined width which is also of predetermined length forwinding receipt onto a reduced portion of the take-up reel 20 in thecarrier 12 so that the mating connectors 16 and 68 will be positionedflush with a relatively wider diameter portion (not shown) of thetake-up reel in order to avoid undesirable impressions in tape 64. Thetransparent leader on the inner end of tape 64 is of the same uniformwidth as the tape.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the tape cartridge 14 preferably includes aninternal brake mechanism which normally secures the tape reel assembly32 against unwinding movement unless properly inserted into carrier 12.In particular, a brake lever 70 is mounted for pivotal movement about apost 72 within a cavity in the bottom housing 30. One end of the brakelever 70 is normally urged by a spring 74 through an access opening andinto locking engagement with the bottom gear flange 48, as best seen inFIG. 7. The other end of the brake lever 70 is turned outwardly andpositioned over an access hole 76 in the bottom housing cover 30. Whenthe tape cartridge 14 is inserted into carrier 12, pin 77 on the insidebottom of the carrier cam-actuates the brake lever 70 through hole 76 inorder to release the tape reel assembly 32, as best seen in FIG. 7, sothat it can turn freely in either direction in order that tape 64 can befreely wound or unwound from the tape cartridge as desired. It will thusbe appreciated that the brake mechanism releases the tape reel assembly32 responsive to insertion of the cartridge 14 into carrier 12. Thiscomprises another important feature of the present invention.

In addition to an internal brake mechanism, the tape cartridge 14includes a tape connector/carrier interlock mechanism which functions toreleasably retain the tape connector 68 in a predetermined fixedposition in housing 26 for mating engagement with the connector 16 uponinsertion into carrier 12, and which also functions to effect a positivemechanical interlock between the tape cartridge and carrier after thetape connection has been established and connector 68 has been drawn outof housing 30. In particular, referring again to FIGS. 7-9, a horizontalarm 78 is supported for pivotal or rocking movement about one side of aguide pin 80, the other side of which adjoins a through passagewaydefining the tape path into and out of tape cartridge 14. One end of thearm 78 is movable into and out of the tape path, while the other end ofthe arm is movable through a slot 82 in the cartridge housing 26. As isbest seen in FIG. 8, the arm 78 is normally biased by spring 84 suchthat one end holds the tape connector 68 in releasable clampedengagement within the tape guideway, while the other end of the arm isrecessed within notch 82. This is necessary to constrain the female tapeconnector 68 against displacement as it fits down over the male tapeconnector 16 in the carrier 12. After the tape cartridge 14 has beeninserted into carrier 12, with tape connectors 16 and 68 in matingengagement, then withdrawal of the connector 68 from the guidewayreleases arm 78 so that spring 84 can actuate the other end of the armoutwardly into locking engagement with a notch 86 in the carrier. Thearm 78 and associated surrounding notch 82 are preferably configured tocome into stopping engagement to prevent the other end of the arm frommoving too far across the tape path and interfering with movement oftape 64. This comprises another important feature of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the carrier 12 preferably includes atether connector interlock 90 associated with the carrier. Inparticular, the interlock 90 consists of a pair of support blocks 92 and94 defining a stepped, tapered guide slot therebetween for tapeconnector 16 and tether connector 68, leaders 18 and 66, and tape 64.The support block 92 includes a hole 96 for optically sensing the "endtape" on passage of one of the leaders to clear the path. The tapeconnector 16 is normally releasably secured in fixed position over thehole 96 in support block 92 by means of an arm 98 which is pivotallysupported on a pin 100 on a plate 102 secured to the bottom of carrier12 adjacent the support block 94 and opposite the support block 92. Thearm 98 is normally biased toward the support block 94 by means of spring104. The upper end of arm 98 includes a point or nose key shaped 106, asbest seen in FIG. 8, which extends through an opening 108 in the supportblock 94 into pinned engagement with a key hole 110 and tether connector68 in order to secure it in fixed position for engagement with the tapeconnector 16 upon insertion of the tape cartridge 14 into carrier 12. Asmall wire form 112 is also supported on the pin 100. One end of thewire form bears against the arm 98, while the other end extends upwardlyfor engagement with a cam surface 114 upon insertion of the tapecartridge 14 into carrier 12.

It will thus be appreciated that the connector 16 is normally releasablysecured (preferably by pinned engagement) within the cartridge by arm 78for engagement with the connector 68 responsive to insertion of the tapecartridge 14 into carrier 12. As the tape cartridge 14 is inserted, theconnector 16 is held in place until engagement with connector 68 inorder to establish the tape tether interconnection. The wire form 112and cam surface 114 are configured so that the arm 98 is moved away fromsupport block 94 only after the tape connection has been established,when the tape cartridge 14 is almost completely inserted flush with thecarrier 12. Any movement of tape 66 along the tape path is thus blockeduntil after completion of the tape connection and full insertion of thetape cartridge 14 into carrier 12. This comprises another importantfeature of the present invention.

As previously described, the tape on the supply reel 32 must mate withthe tether to permit the tape to be wound onto the take-up spool 20. Itis important that this connection be made in a reliable fashion evenafter the cartridge and carrier have been used extensively. Thisobjective is met by controlling the sequence of engagement by the use ofthe structures just described. In operation, the ledge 34 of cartridge14 is engaged with cross brace 36. This layout causes the cartridge torotate or pivot along the ledge as it is inserted into the carrier 12.The pivoting motion required to seat the cartridge 14 brings thecartridge first, into engagement with the locating pin 100. The plate102 is used to locate pin 100 and the other elements of the carrierwhich require accurate alignment for reliable connection. The pin 100preferably has a blunt or tapered nose to guide the cartridge section.The pin is sized to form a low clearance fit with the aperture 101 onthe cartridge 14. Since the pin 100 is the first close tolerance elementengaged, it serves to align and restrain the cartridge in the carrier12. This operation serves to align the male tether connector 16 with thefemale tape connector 68. FIG. 4 shows the connectors 16 and 68 alignedfor engagement while FIG. 7 shows the connector pair fully engaged.During the engagement process the male portion of the connector 16 isheld by arm 98 in the opposing support blocks 92 and 94. The keyedaperture formed in the male portion of the interconnector pair alsoserves to support and align the connector 16. During the engagementprocess the spring loaded arm 98 carrying key 106 holds the connectoragainst support block 92, and the key 106 cooperates with the hole 110to orient and align the connector. Once insertion of the male portion ofconnector 16 into the female portion of connector 68 has occurred, thecontinued movement of the cartridge down the pin 100 results in theactuation cam 114. The cam surface of cam 114 engages arm 98 and forcesthe arm to retract, releasing the interconnector assembly. Thus, thetape-tether interconnection is mating freed only after is achieved.

Referring now to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, the carrier 12 preferably includesan interlock 120 associated with the take-up reel 20. It will berecalled that the first tape connector interlock 90 functions to preventinadvertent advance of connectors 16 and 68 along the tape path untilafter the tape connection has been established and the tape cartridge 14has been fully inserted into carrier 12. This second interlock 120functions to prevent inadvertent advance of the connectors 16 and 68back along the tape path from the take-up reel 20 when the two-piecevideocassette 10 has been inserted into the recorder and lowered intoplay position. In particular, a small nip roller 122 is mounted formovement toward and away from a fixed tape guide pin 124 responsive topositioning of the tape door 126. For purposes of clarity, the tape door126 has been omitted from FIG. 9, 10 and 11. It is shown in FIG. 1, 2,and 3. The nip roller 122 is supported between a pair of verticallyspaced apart arms 128 which are pivotally supported on a pin 130. Thelower arm 128 includes an offset lug which receives one end of a pushrod 132. The other end of the push rod 132 is connected to a dependingpivotal member 134 which is normally urged toward one position by aspring 136. The depending pivotal member 134 also includes a push tab138 which extends outwardly through an opening in the associatedsidewall of carrier 12. A door lock tab 140 is also secured to themember 134. After the two-piece videocassette 10 is inserted into arecorder and lowered into play position, a fixed actuator (not shown)therein engages the push tab 134 thus pivoting the member 134 inwardlyin order to release the door 126 for opening, and simultaneously movingthe nip roller 122 in close proximity with the guidepost 124. This isshown in FIG. 11. The nip is sufficiently small that so that tape-tetherthe interconnection cannot be rewound from take-up reel 20 along thetape path, which could cause damage to the tape head (not shown). Amachine failure which attempted to rewind the interconnection across theheads would result in trapping the interconnection in the nip andbreaking the tape. This comprises another important feature of theinvention.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been illustratedin the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it will be understood that the invention is not limitedonly to the embodiments disclosed, but is intended to embrace anyalternatives, equivalents, modifications and/or rearrangement ofelements falling within the scope of the invention as defined by thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. A two piece videocassette of the type formed by theinsertion of a tape cartridge into a cooperating carrier, comprising:asupply reel located within said cartridge, for storing tape, said tapehaving a first tape and having a second tape end, said first tape andbeing attached to said reel, a tape connector attached to said secondtape end of said tape, a tape cartridge carrier having a housingdefining a tape cartridge receiving aperture adapted to receive saidtape cartridge, a take-up reel located within said tape cartridgecarrier, for storing tape, guidepost means attached to said housing andlocated within said tape cartridge carrier for defining a tape pathwithin said tape cartridge carrier, a tether having a first tether endand a second tether end, said first tether end being attached to saidtake-up reel and extending along said tape path, a tether connectorattached to said second tether end of said tether, a tether connectorlock means adapted for activation by said tape cartridge, for securingsaid tether connector in a fixed position for mating engagement withsaid tape connector at a position along said tape path proximate saidtape cartridge receiving aperture when said cartridge carrier is notinserted into said tape cartridge carrier, and for releasing said tetherconnector upon the insertion said tape cartridge into said carrier. 2.The two piece videocassette of claim 1 further comprising:a tapecartridge guide pin located within said tape cartridge carrier housingproximate said tether connector lock means, a tape cartridge guide pinaperture formed in said tape cartridge proximate said tape connector forengaging said tape cartridge guide pin, whereby said tether connector isaligned for mating engagement with said tape connector forming atape-tether interconnection when said tape cartridge is in engagementwith said tape cartridge guide pin.
 3. The two piece videocassette ofclaim 1 further comprising:a tape carrier tape path access door mountedon said tape carrier adjacent said tape path, door interlock meansactuated by said tape path access door for preventing movement of saidtape-tether interconnection along said tape path when said tape pathaccess door is open.
 4. The two piece viedeocassette of claim 1 furthercomprising:a tape carrier tape path access door mounted on said tapecarrier adjacent said tape path, door interlock means actuated by saidtape path access door for permitting movement of said tape-tetherinterconnection along said tape path when said tape path access isclosed.
 5. The two piece videocassette of claim 1 further comprising:atape carrier tape path access door mounted on said tape carrier adjacentsaid tape path, door interlock means actuated by said door forpermitting movement of said tape-tether interconnection along said tapepath when said door is closed and for preventing movement of saidtape-tether interconnection along said tape path when said door is open.6. The two piece videocassette of claim 5 wherein said door interlockmeans comprises:a nip roller mounted in said tape carrier for pivotalengagement with said guide post and actuated by said door, whereby a nipis formed between said guidepost means and said nip roller, along saidtape path, when said door is opened and said nip roller is pivoted outof said tape path when said door is closed.
 7. A method of forming atape-tether interconnection between a tape cartridge having a tapeconnector and a carrier having a tether connector comprising the stepsof:inserting said tape cartridge into said carrier; engaging a locatingpin on said carrier with a guide pin aperture on said cartridge; movingsaid tape cartridge in a direction defined by said pin whereby said tapeconnector and said tether connector are aligned; holding said tapeconnector in a fixed position to assist alignment of said tape connectorwith said tether connector inserting said tape connector into saidtether connector, whereby said tape connector engages said tetherconnector, forming a tape-tether interconnection; seating said cartridgein said carrier to activate a release of said tape-tetherinterconnection from said fixed position.